Outline of cricket
Encyclopedia
Cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
– a bat-and-ball
Bat-and-ball games
Bat-and-ball games are field games played by two teams. The teams alternate between "batting" roles, sometimes called "in at bat" and "out in the field", or simply in and out. Only the batting team may score, so the fielding team is defending, but they have equal chances in both roles...
team sport. Many variations exist, with its most popular form played on an oval-shaped outdoor arena known as a cricket field
Cricket field
A cricket field consists of a large circular or oval-shaped grassy ground on which the game of cricket is played. There are no fixed dimensions for the field but its diameter usually varies between 450 feet to 500 feet...
at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard (20.12 m) long pitch
Cricket pitch
In the game of cricket, the cricket pitch consists of the central strip of the cricket field between the wickets - 1 chain or 22 yards long and 10 feet wide. The surface is very flat and normally covered with extremely short grass though this grass is soon removed by wear at the ends of the...
that is the focus of the game. A game (or match) is contested between two teams of eleven players each. One team bats, and will try to score as many runs
Run (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, a run is the basic unit of scoring. Runs are scored by a batsman, and the aggregate of the scores of a team's batsmen constitutes the team's score. A batsman scoring 50 or 100 runs , or any higher multiple of 50 runs, is considered a particular achievement...
as possible while the other team bowls
Bowling (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, bowling is the action of propelling the ball toward the wicket defended by a batsman. A player skilled at bowling is called a bowler; a bowler who is also a competent batsman is known as an all-rounder...
and fields
Fielding (cricket)
Fielding in the sport of cricket is the action of fielders in collecting the ball after it is struck by the batsman, in such a way as to either limit the number of runs that the batsman scores or get the batsman out by catching the ball in flight or running the batsman out.Cricket fielding position...
, trying to dismiss
Dismissal (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, a dismissal occurs when the batsman is out . Colloquially, the fielding team is also said to have snared, bagged or captured a wicket. At this point a batsman must discontinue batting and leave the field permanently for the innings...
the batsmen and thus limit the runs scored by the batting team. A run is scored by the striking batsman hitting the ball with his bat, running to the opposite end of the pitch and touching the crease there without being dismissed. The teams switch between batting and fielding at the end of an innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
.
Classes of professional cricket
- International cricketInternational CricketInternational Cricket is a cricket video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System that was only released in Australia in 1992. Developed by Melbourne-based Beam Software, it was the only cricket game released for the NES. There were no attempts to release a cricket video game to the North...
- Test cricketTest cricketTest cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
— The highest level of the sport, Test matches are played over a maximum of five days with two innings per side. - One Day International (ODI) — International matches played with one inning per side, fixed at 50 overs.
- Twenty20 InternationalTwenty20 InternationalA Twenty20 International is a form of cricket which is played over 20 overs per side between two national cricket teams. The game is played under the rules of Twenty20 cricket...
— International matches played with one inning per side, fixed at 20 overs.
- Test cricket
- Domestic cricket — cricket as played within a particular country.
- First class cricket — Similar to Test cricket, these matches are player over three or more days with two innings per side.
- List-A cricket — Similar to ODI, matches are played with one inning per side of a fixed number of overs, usually between 40 and 60.
- Twenty20Twenty20Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
— Matches played with one 20 over inning per side. - Club cricketClub cricketClub cricket is a mainly amateur, but still formal, form of the sport of cricket, usually involving teams playing in competitions at weekends or in the evening. There is a great deal of variation in game format although the Laws of Cricket are always observed...
— mainly amateur, but still formal, form of the game, usually involving teams playing in competitions at weekends or in the evening.
Other forms of cricket
- Kwik cricketKwik cricketKwik cricket is a high-speed version of cricket aimed mainly at encouraging children to take part in the main sport....
— a high-speed version of cricket aimed mainly at encouraging children to take part in the main sport. Known as MILO Kanga cricket in Australia, and MILO Kiwi Cricket in New Zealand. - Backyard cricket — also known as "street cricket", "beach cricket", "gully cricket", and "garden cricket", it is an informal ad hoc variant of the game of cricket, played by people of both sexes and all ages in gardens, back yards, on the street, in parks, carparks, beaches and any area not specifically intended for the purpose.
- French cricketFrench cricketFrench cricket is an informal game derived from the sport of cricket. There is only one batsman, and their objective is to not be dismissed by the other participants - who are fielders, or a bowler if they have possession of the ball - for as long as possible. The objective of the other...
— informal variation, in which there is only one batsman, the objective of whom is not to be dismissed by the other participants - who are fielders, or a bowler if they have possession of the ball - for as long as possible.
Equipment of the game
- Cricket ballCricket ballA cricket ball is a hard, solid leather ball used to play cricket. Constructed of cork and leather, a cricket ball is heavily regulated by cricket law at first class level...
— hard solid ball constructed of cork and leather, used to play cricket. - Cricket batCricket batA cricket bat is a specialised piece of equipment used by batsmen in the sport of cricket to hit the ball. It is usually made of willow wood. Its use is first mentioned in 1624....
— specialised wooden bat used to strike the ball. - Cricket fieldCricket fieldA cricket field consists of a large circular or oval-shaped grassy ground on which the game of cricket is played. There are no fixed dimensions for the field but its diameter usually varies between 450 feet to 500 feet...
— - Cricket Whites - the traditional uniform worn.
- StumpStumpIn its most general sense, stump is an English word. It may refer to:*Tree stump, the rooted remains of a felled tree*Stump, the remains of a limb after amputation...
- the target, at which the bowler aims - Bail (cricket)Bail (cricket)In the sport of cricket, a bail is one of the two smaller sticks placed on top of the three stumps to form a wicket. The bails are used to determine when the wicket is broken, which in turn is one of the critical factors in determining whether a batsman is out bowled, stumped, run out or hit wicket...
- the small items on the stumps, which the bowler is aiming to dislodge
Training and practice equipment
- Bowling machineBowling machineIn cricket a bowling machine is a device which enables a batsman to practice and to hone specific skills through repetition of the ball being bowled at a certain length, line and speed...
— device which enables a batsman to practice (usually in the nets) and to hone specific skills through repetition of the ball being bowled at a certain length, line and speed. It can also be used when there is no-one available to bowl, or no one of the desired style or standard.
Rules of the game
- DismissalDismissal (cricket)In the sport of cricket, a dismissal occurs when the batsman is out . Colloquially, the fielding team is also said to have snared, bagged or captured a wicket. At this point a batsman must discontinue batting and leave the field permanently for the innings...
— occurs when the batsman is out (also known as the fielding side taking a wicket and/or the batting side losing a wicket). Colloquially, the fielding team is also said to have snared, bagged or captured a wicket. At this point a batsman must discontinue batting and leave the field permanently for the innings. - Innings —
- AppealAppeal (cricket)In the sport of cricket, an appeal is the act of a player on the fielding team asking an umpire for a decision regarding whether a batsman is out or not. According to the Laws of Cricket, an umpire may not rule a batsman out unless the fielding side appeals...
— the act of a bowler or fielder shouting at the umpire to ask if his last ball took the batsman's wicket. Usually phrased in the form of howzat (how-is-that?). Common variations include 'Howzee?' (how is he?), or simply turning to the umpire and shouting. The batsman will not be given out without an appeal, even if the criteria for a dismissal have otherwise been met.
Game play
- BattingBatting (cricket)In the sport of cricket, batting is the act or skill of hitting the cricket ball with a cricket bat to score runs or prevent the loss of one's wicket. A player who is currently batting is denoted as a batsman, while the act of hitting the ball is called a shot or stroke...
— the act or skill of hitting the cricket ball with a cricket bat to score runs or prevent the loss of one's wicket. - BowlingBowling (cricket)In the sport of cricket, bowling is the action of propelling the ball toward the wicket defended by a batsman. A player skilled at bowling is called a bowler; a bowler who is also a competent batsman is known as an all-rounder...
— the act of delivering the ball to the batsman with the aim of getting him out, or preventing him from scoring. - FieldingFielding (cricket)Fielding in the sport of cricket is the action of fielders in collecting the ball after it is struck by the batsman, in such a way as to either limit the number of runs that the batsman scores or get the batsman out by catching the ball in flight or running the batsman out.Cricket fielding position...
— the act of operating in the cricket fieldCricket fieldA cricket field consists of a large circular or oval-shaped grassy ground on which the game of cricket is played. There are no fixed dimensions for the field but its diameter usually varies between 450 feet to 500 feet...
to retrieve the ball, facilitate a run out or catch, or prevent scoring opportunities.
Cricket, by region
- Cricket in Africa
- Cricket in KenyaCricket in KenyaCricket is the second most popular sport in Kenya. Kenya has competed in the Cricket World Cup since 1996. They upset some of the World's best teams and reached semi-finals of the 2003 tournament. They also won the inaugural World Cricket League Division 1 hosted in Nairobi and participated in the...
- Cricket in South AfricaCricket in South AfricaCricket is the third most popular sport in South Africa, and is popular among English-speaking as well as Afrikaans-speaking whites. South Africa is a leading cricket-playing nation in the world, and is one of 10 countries sanctioned by the International Cricket Council to play Test Cricket.It...
- Cricket in ZimbabweCricket in ZimbabweCricket is the most popular sport in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is currently a full member of the International Cricket Council .-History:Cricket was introduced to Rhodesia in the 19th century and the Rhodesian Cricket Union was formed in 1898. Rhodesia participated in the Currie Cup, the South African...
- Cricket in Kenya
- Cricket in Asia
- Cricket in AfghanistanCricket in AfghanistanCricket in Afghanistan is a sport growing in popularity, which is represented internationally by the Afghanistan national cricket team. Afghanistan's proximity to the test playing nation of Pakistan has helped the game to take root....
- Cricket in BangladeshCricket in BangladeshCricket is a game which has a massive and passionate following in Bangladesh. There is a strong domestic league which on many occasions also saw Test players from many countries gracing the cricket fields of Bangladesh....
- Cricket in IndiaCricket in IndiaCricket is the most popular sport in India; it is played by many people in open spaces throughout the country though it is not the nation's official national sport . The India national cricket team won the 1983 Cricket World Cup, the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, and the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and...
- Cricket in NepalCricket in NepalCricket is the second most popular Sport in Nepal, catching up with Football as Nepal's most popular Sport thanks largely to the spread of television to the rural communities. Televised Indian Cricket attracts huge audiences in Nepal....
- Cricket in PakistanCricket in PakistanCricket has been played in Pakistan since before the birth of the nation in 1947, going as far back as the 19th century. It was introduced by the British during their colonial rule of British India, of which Pakistan was a part. Despite Field hockey being the national sport of Pakistan, cricket is...
- Cricket in Sri LankaCricket in Sri LankaCricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka, followed by Football and Rugby Union. Sri Lanka is one of the ten nations that take part in test cricket and one of the five nations that has won a cricket world cup...
- Cricket in VietnamCricket in VietnamCricket in Vietnam was first played in the mid–20th Century, however it was formalised with the formation of the Hanoi Cricket Club in 1993. Cricket is largely played in Vietnam by English expatriates, who maintain cricket's social facets in a largely football playing country, as the Vietnam...
- Cricket in Afghanistan
- Cricket in the CaribbeanCricket in the West IndiesThe West Indiescricket is a sporting confederation of over a dozen mainly English-speaking Caribbean countries and dependencies that formed the British West Indies....
- Cricket in Europe
- Cricket in GermanyCricket in GermanyCricket in Germany has a history going back to 1850, when a group of people from England and the United States founded the first German cricket club in Berlin. Several more teams were later founded in Berlin and the rest of Germany, as well as a national federation...
- Cricket in IcelandCricket in IcelandCricket in Iceland is still a fledgling sport, with only a handful of incorporated clubs playing the sport. Iceland is not a member of the International Cricket Council , but has applied to join the European Cricket Council, which would make it an affiliate member of the ICC.-Origin of the...
- Cricket in LuxembourgCricket in LuxembourgCricket in Luxembourg is dominated by the British and Indian expatriate communities, and remains a minor sport amongst native Luxembourgers.Luxembourg City, home to 1,800 Britons, is the centre of the sport, and all of Luxembourg's club sides are situated in the city's metropolitan area...
- Cricket in the NetherlandsCricket in the NetherlandsCricket has been played in the Netherlands since at least the 19th century, and in the 1860s was considered a major sport in the country. Many other sports have long since surpassed cricket in popularity amongst the Dutch, and today there are around 6,500 cricketers in the Netherlands, recent...
(Holland) - Cricket in Ukraine
- Cricket in the United KingdomCricket in the United KingdomCricket in the United Kingdom, like many sports, is organised separately within the individual countries of the United Kingdom. For details, see:*Cricket in England*Cricket in Ireland*Cricket in Scotland*Cricket in Wales...
- Cricket in EnglandCricket in EnglandCricket is known to have been played in England since the 16th century. The Marylebone Cricket Club, based at Lords, came up with the modern rules of play and conduct.-History:* History of English cricket to 1696* 1697 to 1725 English cricket seasons...
- Cricket in Northern Ireland
- Cricket in ScotlandCricket in ScotlandCricket has a lower profile in Scotland than it has in neighbouring England. Scotland is not one of the ten leading cricketing nations which play Test matches, but the Scottish national team is now allowed to play full One Day Internationals even outside the Cricket World Cup, in which Scotland...
- Cricket in WalesCricket in WalesCricket is a popular sport in Wales. With its roots beginning in the late 18th century, Cricket has been played throughout Wales ever since. Glamorgan County Cricket Club is Wales' only first-class team, and Welsh players are eligible to represent England as the team represents both England and Wales...
- Cricket in England
- Cricket in Germany
- Cricket in North America
- Cricket in CanadaCricket in CanadaIn fact, it was so popular that it was declared the national sport by John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. There are well over 40,000 cricketers in the country....
- Cricket in the United StatesCricket in the United StatesCricket in the United States is a sport played at the amateur, club, intercollegiate, and international competition levels. There have also been several recent attempts to form professional cricket leagues in the United States.-History:...
- Cricket in Canada
- Cricket in Oceania
- Cricket in AustraliaCricket in AustraliaCricket is one of the most popular sports in Australia, at international, domestic and local levels. Unlike most other sports played in Australia, cricket generates equal interest in all states of the nation. In 2007, a survey by Sweeney Sports found that 52% of the Australian public have an...
- Cricket in New ZealandCricket in New ZealandCricket is a popular sport in New Zealand, which is one of the ten countries that take part in Test match cricket. Cricket is the national and most popular summer sport, second only in total sporting popularity to rugby....
- Cricket in Australia
History of cricket
- Cricket in the Great WarCricket in the Great WarThe onset of World War I in 1914 brought an end to the "Golden Age" of English cricket. Surrey called off their last two matches without forfeiting their position at the top of the County Championship, which they thus won for the first time since 1899, and the County Championship was then...
- Cricket in World War II
International cricket teams
- (5 January 1971)
- (5 January 1971)
- (11 February 1973)
- (11 February 1973)
- (5 September 1973)
- (13 July 1974)
- (7 June 1975)
- (9 June 1983)
- (31 March 1986)
- (10 November 1991)
The ICC temporarily grants ODI status to other teams; at present these are: (from 18 February 1996, until the 2013 ICC World Cup Qualifier) (from 1 January 2006 until the 2013 ICC World Cup Qualifier) (from 1 January 2006 until the 2013 ICC World Cup Qualifier) (from 1 January 2006 until the 2013 ICC World Cup Qualifier) (from 1 January 2006 until the 2013 ICC World Cup Qualifier) (from 19 April 2009 until the 2013 ICC World Cup Qualifier)
Players
- List of Australia ODI cricketers
- List of Australia Test cricketers
- List of Australia Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of England ODI cricketers
- List of England Test cricketers
- List of England Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of South Africa ODI cricketers
- List of South Africa Test cricketers
- List of South Africa Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of India ODI cricketers
- List of India Test cricketers
- List of India Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of Zimbabwe ODI cricketers
- List of Zimbabwe Test cricketers
- List of Zimbabwe Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of West Indies ODI cricketers
- List of West Indies Test cricketers
- List of West Indies Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of Sri Lanka ODI cricketers
- List of Sri Lanka Test cricketers
- List of Sri Lanka Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of Pakistan ODI cricketers
- List of Pakistan Test cricketers
- List of Pakistan Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of New Zealand ODI cricketers
- List of New Zealand Test cricketers
- List of New Zealand Twenty20 International cricketers
- List of Bangladesh ODI cricketers
- List of Bangladesh Test cricketers
- List of Bangladesh Twenty20 International cricketers